How to migrate hosts from one vCenter to another with vDS?

[SgRddY]

Hello,

I have 3 hosts that is currently on vCenter 5 and I would like to move them into my newly built vCenter 5.1.  Normally, this would be an easy task but with vDS's involve I am a bit confuse of how to do the migration without loosing the vDS's and setting.  I don't want to have to rebuild the vDS's in the newly built vCenter 5.1

What are the steps?  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[memaad]

Hi,

As  DVS setting are stored in vCenter server database, I dont think you will be able to migrate  DVS settings to new vCenter server, unless you upgrade the existing vCenter 5.0 to 5.1.

So then you have to migrate the host back to standard switch and then move it to new vCenter server 5.1 standard switch. Once this is done, need to move it to DVS of new vCenter server.

Regards

Mohammed

[markdjones82 · Accepted solution]

In 5.1 you can export and import the configuration settings listed here, but you will be unable to do that in your case.

VDS Export/Import with PowerCLI | VMware PowerCLI Blog - VMware Blogs

It appears you are trying to do thsi in a 5.x environment though.  You will have to move all your hosts to a standard switch and then unregister/reregister at new Vcenter.

The process is well documented on this blog posting:

http://virtualkenneth.com/2012/10/19/migrate-to-new-vcenter-server-while-using-dvswitches/

[SgRddY]

Thanks for you links, they are very helpful.  I thought that I was running 5 on the old vCenter but I was actually running 5.1 build 1123961.  However, I am not able to find the "Actiion" menu on 5.1 to export the vDS for some reason.  Is there a trick on how to do get this "Action" menu?

So both of my vCenter servers are at the same level, that should make the migration a lot more easy with the export and import option.  Just that I am not able to get that "Action" menu.

Thanks,

[aravinds3107]

Just that I am not able to get that "Action" menu.

Are you connected to the vCenter using webclient as this functionality will be available only via webclient